National Briefing / Washington, D.c.

Obama to pick next Navy chief

President Obama plans to nominate Ray Mabus, a former Mississippi governor who went on to be U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, as secretary of the Navy, the White House said.

If confirmed by the Senate, Mabus, 60, would succeed Donald C. Winter, who left office on March 13. The secretary oversees all activities of the Navy, including its multibillion-dollar shipbuilding budget.

Mabus served as ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 1994 to 1996 and Mississippi governor from 1988 to 1992. He is a former board chairman and chief executive of Foamex International Inc., a producer of cushioning for furniture and automotive markets.